Nestled in the warm waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Laccadive Sea, Sri Lanka is a beach lovers’ paradise. You’ve probably heard of the most popular beaches such as Mirissa in the South, Bentota in the West, and Arugam Bay in the East, but if you’re someone who prefers going a little bit off the beaten track, here’s a list of the five best-underrated beaches in Sri Lanka. Be sure to check them out during your holiday.
Silent Beach or Amanwella Beach in Tangalle
As the name suggests, Silent Beach is an oasis of serenity. It is a semi-private beach located close to Amanwella resort in Tangalle. Perfect for honeymooners or anyone seeking some solitude, Silent Beach features beautiful palm trees dotting a long stretch of soft golden sand and clear turquoise waters.
The best time for swimming and other activities there is between December and April as the waters are calmer. Since the water is abundant in marine life, I recommend going snorkelling instead of swimming.
Stay: Hotels near this beach
Rekawa Beach
Rekawa is 10 kilometres east of Tangalle and one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka due to its prominence as an important nesting site for sea turtles. It is one of the only places in the world where you can spot up to five of the seven different species of sea turtles. They usually swim ashore in the night and can most often be seen from April to July.
The local turtle conservation project organises tours for visitors to spot the turtles and I advise that you contact them before planning your visit here to determine if the time is right.
Secret Beach, Mirissa
The calmer counterpart to the famous Mirissa Beach, this not-so-secret-anymore-but-still-worth-a-visit beach can be accessed via a short 20-minute hike or via a tuk-tuk or bike ride from Harbour Road. You can follow the signposts or ask a friendly face for directions. Once at the beach, you’ll notice a lagoon which is a safe spot to swim. Further down, snorkel sets and day beds are available for hire at reasonable prices. Or you can just spread your towel out on the sand and enjoy the idyllic views of one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka.
Read: 10 awesome things in Mirissa, Sri lanka
Koggala Beach
Located between Unawatuna and Mirissa, this is one of the longest stretches of pristine white sand in Sri Lanka. The waters are clear and less rocky, which makes it a great spot for surfing and diving activities. You can also see a rich variety of marine life or observe traditional stilt fisherman at work. Koggala beach is also close to many other interesting places including Galle fort, the Yala National Park, Hiyare Reservoir Rainforest and Biodiversity Research Centre one of the best-kept secrets of Galle, lying just 16 kilometres from that town, and the temple complex at Kataragama.
Nilaveli Beach
This one is the jewel of Sri Lanka’s east coast, a quiet little paradise free of large crowds, north of Trincomalee. The soft golden sand is dotted with lush palm trees swaying in the breeze and you’re sure to enjoy swimming or other activities in the calm waters. Just a couple kilometres across the sea is Pigeon Island, which is renowned for its coral reef. Take a boat trip out there for a day of snorkelling. Nilaveli is one of the best-underrated beaches in Sri Lanka to relax and become a recluse as you connect with nature and soak up a hearty dose of Vitamin Sea.
